In a continuing effort to preserve the historical integrity of the Royal community in Florida, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and the Community of Royal are challenging the state's revised nomination for listing the area on the National Register of Historic Places. The Keeper of the National Register has once again found that while Royal appears to meet criteria for listing, the Florida State Historic Preservation Office's (SHPO) revised nomination fails to adequately document boundaries and national significance.
Kirsten Anderson, SPLC’s deputy legal director of economic justice, expressed disappointment over the repeated submission issues: “We are disappointed that the Florida SHPO submitted another nomination that failed to address the same set of issues identified by the Keeper in the SHPO’s first nomination.” Anderson emphasized that since Royal's nomination has been pending since July 2023, it is crucial for Florida SHPO to collaborate with community members and organizations like Young Performing Artists, Inc. (YPAs) to ensure accurate information before resubmitting.
The Keeper noted inconsistencies in boundary justification within Florida SHPO's revised nomination. The exclusion of certain African American-owned properties from Royal's historic district was particularly criticized despite evidence supporting their inclusion as part of this longstanding community dating back to the 1860s.
Additionally, Beverly Steele, founder of Young Performing Artists, Inc., highlighted Royal's unique status as one of only two remaining Black homesteading communities in America. She stated: “In the midst of efforts to rewrite Black history, the Community of Royal is a testament of survival.” Steele urged for a collaborative effort with Florida SHPO that respects and accurately represents Royal’s historic boundaries.
Royal is located in Sumter County, central Florida—a region known for its rapid growth due to developments like The Villages. Settled by emancipated Black Americans under the Homestead Act of 1862, recognition on the National Register would provide procedural protections against encroaching development pressures.